Diocesan Trip to Gulf Coast
I talked to you about my experiences doing Hurricane Relief work in
Mississippi. I wanted to share with you an opportunity to
experience it first-hand. A group trip to Mississippi is
being in organized in our Deanery (SLO County), and anyone who is
interested is welcome to participate. (I am helping to organize
the trip, though it will take place once I have gone to Liberia).
Camp Coast Care, the Lutheran/Episcopal Disaster
Response camp has been a beacon of hope in the Mississippi Gulf Coast
region. Throughout the fall they gave food, supplies, and medical
care to more than 2,000 people a day who passed through their facility
(a gym at an Episcopal Elementary School). The camp houses
150-200 volunteers (on cots) who go out in work teams to do demolition,
debris removal, and reconstruction. The presence of volunteers in
the Gulf Coast region not only provided for the emergency needs of the
people, but also continues to give them the hope that they need to
survive.
Our group will be spending the week of November
12-19, 2006 at Camp Coast Care. Most people will be flying, but
driving is also an option (35 hour drive). Everyone is arranging
their own plane tickets (it is possible to go for a longer or shorter
period of time). Camp Coast Care will provide transportation from
the airport Gulfport, Mississippi, as well as group housing, and
meals. Volunteer opportunities include physical AND non-physical
jobs (administration, organization, and interviewing clients).
I have fundraising suggestions for people who are
interested. Even if you are able to afford the trip on your own,
I strongly suggest you get your church involved, and collect donations
for Camp Coast Care. I have a DVD with pictures of the region,
which is a good presentation tool.
This trip WILL change your life. You will go
to the valley of the shadow of death, and you will experience God’s
presence there. You will see joy overcoming despair. You
will BE the body of Christ in action. This is an opportunity to
live out your baptismal covenant, to answer God’s call out into the
world.
Contact: Sheila Vossler mabear2@sbcglobal.net 805-466-2292 (home) or
805-610-4700 (cell)
May the Peace of the Lord be always with you,
Robin